Creation of Light and/or Surface Plasmons with Heated Metallic Films

University of Minnesota

Ultrasmooth thin metal films with a nanoscale bull’s eye pattern of circular concentric grooves produce a monochromatic beam of collimated light when heated. The monochromatic light beam produced by the device is low-intensity.

The plasmonic device can be made from different metals such as tungsten, gold and silver or other combinations of materials. The wavelength of the emitted light can be tuned by changing the metal and the spacing of the concentric grooves of the bull’s eye pattern.

Thin Metal Film Plasmonic Device

Ultrasmooth thin metal films with a nanoscale bull’s eye pattern of circular concentric grooves produce a monochromatic beam of collimated light when heated. The plasmonic device can be made from different metals such as tungsten, gold and silver or other combinations of materials. The wavelength of the emitted light can be tuned by changing the metal and the spacing of the concentric grooves of the bull’s eye pattern. The monochromatic light beam produced by the device is low-intensity.

This unique plasmonic device has applications in

Thermophotovoltaics

Sensors including temperature and chemical sensing

Optical signal processing

Analytical instrumentation

Description

Cost Effective Process to Construct Thin Metal Films

A simple and cost effective process for constructing the thin metal films has also been developed. The process produces films which are extremely smooth which improves the efficiency of the plasmonic wave propagation.

Benefits

Converts thermal energy into light or vice versa

Produces beams of collimated light that are low-intensity

Tunable emission from microwave to visible wavelengths

Improved emission output – narrow, focused beams

Simple fabrication method

Applications and IndustriesLicense is for plasmonic devices with a concentric circular pattern (bull’s eye) that convert thermal energy into light.More Information

Inventor(s)

Dr. David NorrisProfessor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

The goal of research in the Norris group is to tailor the optical properties of materials by controlling size, shape, and structure. In addition to investigating fundamental principles, each of our projects is pursued with specific applications in mind. Dr. Norris is currently a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich Switzerland where he continues to develop this technology.

Replication of patterned thin-film structures for use in plasmonics and metamaterialsThe present invention provides templating methods for replicating patterned metal films from a template substrate such as for use in plasmonic devices and metamaterials. Advantageously, the template substrate is reusable and can provide plural copies of the structure of the template substrate. Because high-quality substrates that are inherently smooth and flat are available, patterned metal films in accordance with the present invention can advantageously provide surfaces that replicate the surface characteristics of the template substrate both in the patterned regions and in the unpatterned regions.

02/03/2015
Issued

Technology Status

Technology ID

Development Stage

Availability

Published

Last Updated

Z09085

Development - Metallic films in Tungsten, Silver and Tantalum with the concentric groove pattern have been built. The Tungsten film when heated to 800°C emits a narrow beam near 3.5 micrometers.

Available - Licensee will receive rights to practice the intellectual property (patent application) for the purposes of developing and manufacturing a commercial product.